So, I was in Milan, right? Amazing city, fashion, pasta, the Duomo, all that jazz. But you know what hit me one afternoon? A massive craving for dim sum. Yeah, I know, Milan and dim sum, not exactly a classic pairing like spaghetti and meatballs, but hey, when the craving calls, you gotta answer.
Finding a decent dim sum spot wasn’t as straightforward as finding a pizzeria, let me tell you. I did a bit of asking around, some good old-fashioned wandering too. I wasn’t looking for anything super fancy, just some authentic, tasty bites. It felt a bit like a mini-adventure, trying to sniff out where the good stuff might be hiding.
Stumbling Upon a Gem (or so I hoped)
Eventually, I found this place. Tucked away on a side street, not too flashy from the outside. I peeked in, and it looked promising – busy, lots of chatter, and that familiar smell of steamed goodies in the air. That’s usually a good sign, right? So, I decided to give it a shot. Walked in, got a table, and the atmosphere was pretty lively. Not a quiet, stuffy restaurant, which I liked.
The menu was pretty extensive. I tried to stick to some classics to really test the waters. Here’s what I remember ordering:
- Siu Mai (Pork Dumplings): Can’t go wrong with these, or so I thought.
- Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings): The real test for me. Gotta have that translucent skin.
- Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns): Steamed ones, my favorite.
- Some Cheong Fun (Rice Noodle Rolls) with shrimp.
So, the food started arriving. The Siu Mai were pretty decent, good flavor and juicy. The Har Gow, ah, the skins were a bit thicker than I prefer, but the shrimp inside was fresh. Not bad, not amazing, but definitely hit the spot for the craving. The Char Siu Bao were actually quite good! Fluffy bun, sweet and savory pork filling – a winner there.
The Cheong Fun was alright, sauce was a bit on the sweeter side for my liking, but the texture of the noodle was good. It’s funny, you go in with these expectations, especially when you’re hunting for something specific in a place you don’t associate it with.
So, Was It Worth It?
You know what? It was. It wasn’t the best dim sum I’ve ever had in my life, not by a long shot. But for Milan, and for satisfying that sudden, intense craving, it did the job. It was a fun little experience, stepping off the beaten path of Italian food for a meal. Sometimes it’s just about the hunt and the simple pleasure of finding something comforting in an unexpected place.
I left feeling pretty content. It wasn’t a life-changing culinary discovery, but it was a good, solid meal. And sometimes, that’s all you need. Plus, it makes for a good story, right? “That time I went hunting for dim sum in Milan…” It’s these little detours that often make travel memorable. I didn’t expect to be on a dim sum quest in Italy, but there I was, and it was actually pretty fun. I guess it just shows you can find little pockets of anything, anywhere, if you look hard enough. Or if you’re just really hungry for dumplings.